Hi guys,

I'm having some difficulties with Windows 7 Media center. I use Media Center to record TV programs to watch later. Well, lately I've discovered that some of my recorded programs won't play. These are files I've played before many times without a problem.

When I try to play the files (.wtv) I get an error message:

"Files needed to display video are not installed or are not working correctly. Restart Windows Media Center or restart computer."

Not all files are affected - maybe 25%. I haven't installed any new programs or uninstalled any old ones. I haven't installed any new drivers or hardware. I haven't removed any hardware.

I checked the drive for errors (including the option to recover bad sectors) - no problems.
I ran a smart scan and it says the drive is healthy.
Defrag says the drive doesn't need defragging.

Any ideas?

I'm running Windows 7 Pro 32 bit
Asus M2r32-MVP
AMD Athlon 64x2 5600 2.9 ghz
3 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT

Welcome to the forum joonyer, you shouldn't have to wait long before one of the experts are able to help you.

Is your computer up to date with all important and critical updates from Microsoft ?

I don't use Media Centre and I'm on a Windows 8.1 Notebook most of the time so can't help with your problem.

Again Welcome to the forum.

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Joan Archer
http://crossstitcher.webs.com

Yes my computer is up to date with all important and critical updates from Microsoft.

Since Media Center seems to no longer support Internet TV I assume that you are using either a TV USB tuner or a tuner card. Is that correct? What brand/model? If so I would re-install the drivers and software for the device. If possible do not use the CD that came with the device, go to the manufacturer's site and get the latest versions.

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Tuner card:

Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250(HVR-1265) Hybrid TV Tuner w/ Video Recorder PCI-E x 1

I can reinstall drivers but the card seems to be working fine. It records TV and plays back without issue - except for the aforementioned files. The coax plugs right into the card. Watching and recording live TV works fine.

If the tuner card works fine on its own I doubt that it is the drivers.

You might try enabling MP2 encoding under the advanced tab of the tuner settings.

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My settings are the same as the ones in the picture. Is it possible it's the files and not the software? I've noticed a difference in the files that won't play. The files on the left play, the ones on the right don't.

I am going to guess that the ones that won't play are protected by DRM media protection or whatever the equivalent would be in this case. What makes me think along this line is that there is no recording length shown. What is shown for a file size on a bad recording, not specific but is it reasonable for the length of the movie? What is the TV source of Driving Miss Daisy?

My fault on the screen shot I sent above. My shot was meant to just show you the dialog. I intended for you to enable the third party decoding. After seeing your shots don't bother.

Not including this issue how do you like your turner? I have two Hauppauge tuners. My desktop media system has a Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1600 NTSC/ATSC/QAM Combo; this is a PCI card. I use a USB unit on my laptop, Hauppauge WinTV HVR-9500 Hybrid that is also NTSC/ATSC/QAM but also HD capable. I am quite happy with both. I suppose that I should upgrade the one in my media system as it is not really HD capable. I have had other tuners but think that Hauppauge makes the best.

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Recording source for Driving Miss Daisy is Turner Classic Movies. No recording time is available either in properties or the folder. I have many files from TCM and most of them play just fine. Files missing the recording length will not play. Some programs recorded from AMC also have the same issue. I tried to open the file in Movie Maker and the recording length was shown as 7 minutes. I have played this file before without issue. I have over 600 movies and TV shows from these two networks and the files affected don't appear to be date specific.

As for Hauppauge - I love the tuner card. Next time I need one I will buy from them again. It has worked seamlessly with Windows7. No issues at all. Bought the card 4 years ago and it's still doing a great job. I've tried other brands in the past and there is no comparison.

Dang, if they are coming from the same source I don't think that I'm going to be able to be of much help.

One last thought that really doesn't seem too promising... is it possible that ones that work are timed recordings and those that don't work direct; or the other way around?

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They were all timed recordings. I guess I'll just have to ditch the duds and record 'em over again.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry that I wasn't able to give a solid answer. Movie Maker showing a length of 7 minutes does kind of indicate that they are just plain bad files.

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